Southland hold off Waikato

Waikato's poor early-season ITM Cup form continued when they suffered a 20-16 defeat to Southland in Invercargill on Friday.

Waikato's poor early-season form continued when they suffered a 20-16 defeat to Southland in Invercargill.

The win is a morale-boosting one for the Stags after they suffered defeats to Tasman, Northland and Taranaki in previous matches, while Waikato are now winless since their Ranfurly Shield victory over Northland at the start of the campaign.

The Mooloo men raced into a 9-0 lead by the 25th minute thanks to three Trent Renata penalties.

Southland struck back with a try by Cardiff Vaega after a charge down of a Waikato clearance kick.

Marty McKenzie converted, and added a penalty to give the hosts a 10-9 advantage at half-time.

Southland went further in the lead through a Josh Bekhuis try from close quarters in the 52 minute. McKenzie added the extras but Waikato struck back when Semisi Masirewa scored from an attacking scrum ten minutes before the end.

Renata converted but replacement fly-half Scott Eade sealed the victory for Southland with another three-pointer five minutes before the end.